Jennys eyes widened and she tugged at Marinas
hand.  We should go, she whispered.

No!  Shane
stood up again, knocking the chair.  I
oh jeez, I forgot, I gotta go, Ive got an appointment.

Lara gave her a quizzical look.  I thought you said you didnt have anything
this morning.

  I did…I dont  Shane
stammered, Look, I gotta go.  She gave Lara
one last longing glance, wheeled around and practically ran out of The Planet,
head ducked low, hair in her eyes.

Lara watched her go, a flush of conflicting
emotions running through her.  Shed felt
Shanes desire, of course.  It was unmistakable.  But was there something more, something shed
missed, something shed said?  She shook
her head and turned to see Marina and Jenny
leaving the table as well.

Marina,
she called out.

Marina
stopped in place.

We need to talk..  later..  about how to run The Planet.  Youre still part owner, and I want to try to
make this work.

  Sure you do, Marina
said grimly, gripped Jennys cold hand in her
own, and walked away, back stiff, taking deep breaths and just praying she
could get out of here without turning around and ripping Laras
face off.

*~*~*~*~*

Shane climbed into her truck, fired it up, raked
her hair back with shaky fingers.  That
was entirely too close.  A few more
minutes and she would have dragged Lara back to
her office and done what?  Fucked her?  Fed on her? 
Both?  There was something in Lara
that called to her, and wanted something from her.  The darkness. 
In both of them.  It was almost an
irresistible pull.  Shane
had seen Laras darkness in play; it was
frightening and exhilarating at the same time; she knew she could draw it from
her again.  But could she put it back
when she was finished?  She shook her
head, shoved the truck into gear, and peeled away from the curb, tires
squealing.

Lara leaned in the doorway, watching, wondering,
wanting.

Radio blaring a dark driving thrash of unidentifiable music, Shane
drove.  Home.  She had to get home.  Home to Tina.  And sanctuary.

*~*~*~*~*

Dressed only in a rich brown satin gown, belted at the waist, falling open
across her thighs, Tina sipped her tea and turned the next page in her book, Collision Course, smiling at the deft
writing and making a mental note to look for later works by the author.  She looked up when she heard Shane
key the lock and open the door.  She
closed it behind her and leaned against the door, head back, eyes closed.  In the soft light coming in through the
living room curtains, she looked young, almost boyish, hair framing a face that
was both wistful and vulnerable.